'I stole a pregnant cat': Kind horse lover rescues neglected barn cat from farmer who refuses to take care of her, immediately gets her the care she needs to deliver her kittens

Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager

Sep 15, 2026 6:15 AM EDT

If you steal a cat that no one technically owns, is it really stealing?

I've always been someone who follows the rules. I was a straight-A student, I always recycle, and I will read the directions at least three times through before even starting anything new. I like rules - they give order and if you follow them, you'll usually find yourself in a better place than those who don't. But all of those morals go in the trash as soon as I see someone not treating a cat with the love they deserve.

The sad truth is that many people don't think of cats as creatures with feelings or souls, so they allow themselves to ignore their suffering. That results in cats getting left behind when their families move, getting abandoned on the side of the highway, or not giving them the medical care they need because they're "just a cat."

This is where our story today starts: a purrson tending to their loan horse noticed a pregnant cat in distress near their barn. All but skin and bones, the horse-lover asked around, and learned that the cat "belonged" to a farmer nearby, but refused to let her inside, or even spay her because it was "unnatural".

Unable to look the other way, they took the cat to the emergency vet to get her the care she needed. The vets assured her that, if the farmer came to claim the cat (do you think he will actually come?), he would have to not only pay for all the veterinary care, but he would also have to get her spayed, as it's a requirement for all cat owners in their area.

This poor cat did not deserve to survive like this. I chose the word "survive" because that's probably all she could do for so long. But now, she will have her kittens, hopefully find her furrever family, and live happily ever after.

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to start your Caturday with the funniest felines on the internet!

"I stole a pregnant cat"

Yesterday I was caring for my loan horse when this cat came up to me.

I have seen her a few times before (only in the distance) and asked the owners of my horse if it's theirs. They said no, it's the cat of a farmer some properties over. I asked them if they knew how old she was, because she seemed so tiny and too young to be pregnant.

When she came up to me, she was meowing so pityfully and yowled like she was in pain. When I took a look, she had black discharge and something sticking out of her already I. She purred, but not in a happy, more of a extremely stressed and in pain way. Poor thing was so skinny (except for her HUMONGUS belly) that I could feel every single bone and vertebrae.

They went to the farmer a few times and told him to get the cat spayed but he refused because it's "unnatural" or too expensive.

That, in and of itself, is the problem: a cat is never just a cat. Sure, there are limits to how much we can afford to pay for any cat-related procedure, but a spay? Come on.

A cat should be treated like family, because what you give to them, they will give you back tenfold if they feel safe enough. But to those people who treat cats as lesser beings don't care about them, and as a result, the cats suffer and wait for a kind soul to rescue them, bring them home, and teach them what love looks like.

I called the vet emergency service. to ask what i could do because I simply can't look away in these situations. They told me they can't do anything but to contact a shelter near me that had their own vet.

Cheezburger Image 10663754240 — *Veterinarian examines a pregnant cat*
*_{Licensed media provided as editorial context.}*

Called them, explained the situation and clarified that she isn't mine, probably belongs to the farmer

They told me to bring her in, so my boyfriend brought me a transport box, I put her in and sped off.

During the 20 Minute drive, she kept panting and Opening her mouth so wide, she went limp a few times and her third eyelid came out and covered her eyes. I had to shake her awake and she fought through.

When we finally arrived I handed her off to be examined and filled out a found pet form. I spent 2 hours there in which I didn't see her because they wanted her to be alone, so she could calm down.

*Barn cat recovering at the vet after check up*
*_{Image depicted solely for explanatory purposes.}*

When I left, they told me she wasn't chipped (of course), she started delivering and the amniotic sac was already visible and looked normal, so the kittens are probably still alive.

They assured me that she won't leave the shelter without being spayed and if the farmer comes looking for her (which i doubt), he can have her back but then he has to pay for all the vet and shelter bills. He would also be reported

I can call on Wednesday to get an update.

Don't you worry, I Can Has Cheezburger fam, we will surely provide an update for you as soon as we have one. I'm invested in this poor baby's recovery and adoption, so don't you worry your pretty little heads. We'll find out more on Wednesday!